rowland



(No Model.)

2 Sheets-Sheet 1.

T. F. ROWLAND.

IRON COLUMN.

Patented Feb. 26, 1889.

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2 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

T. F. ROWLAND.

IRON COLUMN.

No. 398,451. Patented Feb. 26, 1889.

N. PETERS. PhMo-LRhogmphev. Washinglun. D. C.

PATENT THOMAS F. ROWLAND, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IRON COLUMN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 398,451, dated February 26, 1889.

Application filed June 26, 1888- Serial No. 278,284. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, THOMAS F. ROWLAND, a citizen of the United States, residing in the city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Iron Columns, of which the following is a full and clear description, reference being had to the accompanying drawings.

The present improvements relate to the production of wroughtiron columns, and particularly those used in connection with the building of gas-holders and similar structures. In the building of such columns it is obvious that sightliness and architectural effect are matters not to be overlooked. At the same time it is desirable to secure artistic effect with the least possible addition to the cost of building the columns.

It is the object of my invention to build such columns on an improved plan by which the most important demands of architectural design are satisfied, and by which the columns become also mechanically improved.

These columns are built up of what isknown as structural beams or bars-that is, rollediron bars of various forms generally called Lbeams, T-beams, or a11gle-irons and it must be obvious that the cost of erection is largely in proportion to the amount of work that has to be done on these structural beams to prepare them to be joined together in the columns. So, also, it will be plain, both from a mechanical as well as an architectural point of. \IGW, that in building such a column the lower or base portions need to be the largest and strongest, and that from its base to its top it should be made regularly and gracefully smaller. The mechanical requirements are fulfilled by joining end to end I-bea-ms that vary in crosssectional size-that is, beams that for each successive one, two, or more are smaller from the base of the column upward; but while this method produces sufficient strength and rigidity the junction of a small to a larger beam leaves an abruptly-projecting angle that is not in accordance wit-h plea-sing architectural outline, and to trim or out such a beam, as has been. done, to produce a regular diminishing of its width from one end to the other end is impracticable both as to the method and cost of so preparing it.

My improvement consists, therefore, in a column composed of angle-beams of different sizes joined together end to end, the ends of a smaller beam where joined to the end of a larger beam being spread out or expanded to the size of this end of the larger beam.

In the drawings, Figure 1 shows an elevation side viewof a column embodyingmy improvements, the column in this case serving as a guide-column to a gas-holder and resting upon the brick tank of the holder. Fig. 2 illustrates the same column when supported upon the abutments of an iron tank. Fig. 3 shows an elevation front or edge View of the columns of a gas-holder and the braces and girders that connect them. Figs. 4 and 5 are detail side elevations of a column, and Fig. 6 is a detail front elevation thereof.

In the views, A. will represent one of the I-beams of which the columns are made up. In the present instance it may be the bottom beam or the one forming the base of the column. This beam as it comes from the rolling-mill is of the cross-sectional form shown in Fig. 5 and is of the same width from end to end. One end of this beam is to be properly heated, and then its web is split or cut open or reduced in thickness for a short distance along its length, and one side or flange part thereof, as B,is bent outwardly or spread, as shown, so as to widen the end of the beam. This, if the web be split, leaves an opening, O,between the two flanged parts of this end of the beam. In this opening may be placed a piece, D, cut to fill the opening in part or wholly. In Fig. 4 this piece extends from the end of the beam for a sufficient distance upward to close the opening so far as it is requisite to have it fill in the web and make it continuous from flange to flange in order that the 3' u notional parts may be riveted to it. The pieces D are firmly welded in place, and thereby prevent any weakening of the beam at this place.

Inv Fig. 5 the piece D is shown as fully filling the space 0. The outline shape of the flange that is spread out will usually be that of a gradually-expanding curve, as shown, which may end in a portion, E, parallel with the opposite flange. The extent of the spread will usua formed 0 of the beam to which it is to be attached. \Vhen the lower end of the base-beam is thus spread out, the expansion may be of any dosirable extent.

The beams thus prepared are shipped to the place where the columns are to be erected, and then joined together as their building up goes on, the lower expanded end of one beam being united to the expanded top end of a wider beam.

The means for joining the beams together end to end involves no special novelty, and is well understood by those skilled in building such columns. Usually, however, angle-irons F are used for this purpose, they being riveted to each other and to the adjoining ends of the beams. \Vhen the columns are used for guides to a gas-holder, as here illustrated, they will be connected and braced by girders G and diagonals II, and they will support the guide-rails I, which receive the f rictionwheels of the gas-receiver. I do not, however, limit myself to columns for gas-holders, as my improvements are applicable to any column made of angle-iron, and after the method herein described.

It is not necessary that the beams should vary in size atevery length thereof. Two

beams of the same size may be joined together, as seen in Figs. 1 and 2, and the beams above and below be expanded.

In this way a column may be produced haw in g good outlines with but a small outlay in time or expense, and the column is not only improved in appearance, but the junctions thus produced between the beams are stronger and otherwise mechanically superior to those made in the common manner of joining two beams of different sizes.

lVhat is claimed as new is 1. A column composed of angle beams or bars which varyin width from the top to the bottom of the column, the ends of the nar rower beams where two beams of different widths are united being spread out or expanded to substantially the width of the unexpanded ends of the larger beams, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. A column composed of angle-beams A,

the pieces D inserted in the said expanded ends, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

THUS. '1 ROWLAND. Witnesses:

JULIA ELIZA KNIGHT, R0131. F. GAYLORD. 

